REMARKABLE LEPER

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 21, 24 October 1945, Page 5

REMARKABLE LEPER

There < is a young quarter-caste Tongan man on Makogai wno has done remarkable work among his fellow sufferers. Ernest by name, and Earnest by nature, he is in charge of the workshop. He teaches the young men and boys useful trades which will be of much value to them on their discharge. Although severely handicapped by the

dread disease, Ernest has persisted in this work, his labour of Jove. Quite recently the Secretary of Statu for the Colonies sent a special letter to Ernest expressing the thanks and appreciation from the British Government for his work for the patients, and also for his splendid influence for good among all on the Island. In the eyes of the medical superintendent; Ernest' is a; model patient. With the : assistance; of a number of boys he lias just completed the building of a small boa I for pleasure purposes. Always cheerful, always busy, and never complaining, seems to be Ernest's rule of life.

Among some of tlie Pacific Island races the dread of the disease of leprosy is very great. Whenever anyone is found to be a victim he is isolated to a specially built hut away from the villagers, and' his friends or relatives from time to time will leave food near his hut but do nothing further. His exist auce is a very - lonely one. If the disease was treated properly in the early stages there would be hope of recovery for many.

The Lepers'. Trust Board is now assisting "all Mission Bodies working in the Pacific to put up /md equip suitable dispensaries to attend to all such cases.